Deep Mountains, Secluded Valleys

Long ago, there was a martial artist known as the Yin-Yang Immortal. He was an absolute master who had mastered every weapon, from bare-handed combat to the sword, saber, spear, axe, and staff, earning him the alternative title of the Patriarch of One Hundred and Eight Martial Arts. Yet his true value lay in his dual Qi of Yin and Yang, just as his moniker suggested. He was the first martial artist to wield both the extreme Yin and extreme Yang Qi simultaneously. As he demonstrated heaven-shattering power by freely uniting or clashing these opposing forces, martial artists gathered like clouds to learn from him. However, not a single martial artist could grasp his teachings, and at some point, the Yin-Yang Immortal entered seclusion. Decades passed. Just as the name of the Yin-Yang Immortal was beginning to be dismissed as a hollow legend, two martial artists appeared, claiming to be his disciples. After proving their martial prowess to the entire Wulin, these two martial artists established lineages named after their respective monikers. Thus, the lineages of the Heavenly Sword and the Earth Blade were born.

As the moon rose and twilight deepened, Yoo Jeong's training began once his master fell asleep.

The clearing was meticulously cleared, without a single stray pebble. In the distance, shrubs acted as a natural fence separating it from the forest. Under the soft moonlight, which illuminated the clearing like a stage lantern, Yoo Jeong slowly raised his sword.

From the Ten Iron Sword Forms, the foundational training to master the forms of the Heavenly Sword, to the Eight Flows of Radiant Splendor. He swung his sword so slowly that a single practice session took a full hour.

Yet despite the long duration, the tip of Yoo Jeong's sword traced a flawless trajectory without a single tremor. He had not used any internal energy, so by the time beads of sweat began to form on his brow, his sword suddenly came to a halt, pointing directly at an uninvited guest.

"Is it not a taboo to spy on another martial artist's training?"

"You are remarkably knowledgeable for someone who has never traveled the Jianghu. Is that thanks to the heroic tales in your room?"

"...I do not see why you are bringing up heroic tales."

"I didn't mean to tease you. My master is quite fond of them too."

A woman slowly emerged from the shadows. Namgung Sua, whose slender figure naturally brought the phrase willow waist to mind, stood a full inch taller than Yoo Jeong. Wearing her bizarre cat mask, she lightly tapped her willow-leaf saber and spoke.

"And can we really be considered strangers? We are practically sect siblings. If you'd like, I can show you the Seven Tiger Blades or the Thundering Nine Dragons Blade to keep things fair?"

"Ha. No, thank you."

His mood ruined, Yoo Jeong irritably wiped away his sweat and sheathed his sword. The beautiful blade, which had been glowing with a jewel-like blue under the moonlight, was slowly concealed by the scabbard. At the clear, ringing sound of the metal sliding home, Namgung Sua's gaze, which had been fixed on Yoo Jeong since her arrival, shifted to the sword. Perhaps because she hailed from the prestigious Namgung Clan, even though she wielded a saber, her eyes sparkled at the sight of a sword that was obviously a masterpiece.

"That sword. Is it Cheonru?"

Cheonru. The token of the Covenant of the Northern Sword and the name of the Sword Empress's cherished blade. At that name, Yoo Jeong stroked the hilt with a proud expression, just as he would stroke his master's head.

"Yes. My master passed it down to me."

The day Yoo Jeong first manifested sword energy. It was before her rejuvenation, when his master still possessed the beautiful appearance of a woman in her thirties. She had smiled warmly as she handed down her beloved sword, and on that day, even the usually stoic Yoo Jeong had smiled brightly—just like his master did now in her child-like state.

Watching Yoo Jeong lose himself in reminiscence with a strange look in her eyes, Namgung Sua carefully broached the subject.

"What do you plan to do about the Covenant of the Northern Sword?"

At her words, Yoo Jeong snapped out of his memories, the corners of his mouth instantly dropping. The Covenant of the Northern Sword. Ever since his encounter with the beggar and the Taoist, this topic had continuously plagued him. If his master had been in her right mind, she would have broken her seclusion and set out immediately. She was a person who valued promises, trust, and righteous chivalry above all else.

"You saw the state my master is in, did you not?"

However, Yoo Jeong was not his master. To him, his master's safety was far more important than promises or trust. The only reason the Covenant of the Northern Sword weighed on his mind at all was the criticism his master would face if she broke it. The future of the Orthodox Wulin meant nothing to him.

"...You said it was dementia caused by her rejuvenation, right?"

Namgung Sua raised her index finger and tapped her lips, which were left uncovered by her mask.

"Could it be that she damaged the acupoints in her brain during her rejuvenation, similar to how some become simpletons after breaking through the life-and-death pass?"

"I do not know. I have never examined them."

"Why haven't you?"

"To be precise, I could not, Lady Namgung."

"You couldn't... Ah, that makes sense. Given that her internal energy is vast enough to achieve rejuvenation, her body's resistance to external energy must be immense."

"Yes."

"Have you never taken her to a physician?"

"The kind of physicians who visit Zhang Family Village were of no use. And traveling further was too great a risk."

It wasn't that Yoo Jeong didn't want to cure his master's condition. In fact, he wanted it more than anyone else in the world. But he knew all too well, even with his lack of experience, how dangerous it was for a penniless, naive youth and a dementia patient to wander the world in search of a doctor.

"The Divine Doctor."

"Pardon?"

"If it is the Divine Doctor, wouldn't she be able to examine her pulse?"

The Divine Doctor. Yoo Jeong had heard that name from his master as well. Although she usually only treated commoners, she occasionally treated martial artists. It was said that she distributed Life-Saving Tokens to those who performed great acts of righteousness, and if a martial artist ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠brought one of those tokens, she would treat them.

"But we do not have a Life-Saving Token."

When she traveled the Wulin as the Sword Empress, his master had supposedly received a few.

"My master said she gave them all away to those in need."

"That sounds just like the Sword Empress. Since I was a child, the elders of my clan always told me to grow up to be a martial artist like her."

Namgung Sua seemed to recall something, her eyes turning distant. Under the moonlight, the eyes visible behind her mask looked somewhat sorrowful.

"At any rate, a token does exist. Though it isn't mine."

Yoo Jeong's eyes widened at her words.

"Then...!"

"The current Alliance Leader, Grandmaster Goeng-ryo of Shaolin, should have a Life-Saving Token. If we explain the situation and ask for it, he will likely give it to us willingly."

"So it is not a certainty."

"No plan has a guaranteed outcome. We can only strive to achieve the best possible result."

Her calm response plunged Yoo Jeong into deep thought. The Divine Doctor's Life-Saving Token. What if it could actually bring about an improvement in his master's condition?

"In that case, secure the Life-Saving Token first and let my master receive treatment."

It was worth taking the risk. However, he could not simply let himself be dragged to the Wulin Alliance. His master's safety was always his absolute priority. Therefore, he added more conditions.

"Only a minimum number of people must know about my master's condition to prevent rumors from spreading. My master and I will travel alone. And any journey into the Wulin for the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Covenant of the Northern Sword will only take place if my master's condition shows signs of improvement."

Yoo Jeong quietly recited his terms. Anyone could see these conditions heavily favored Yoo Jeong and the Sword Empress, but the other side was the one in far greater desperation.

"If these conditions are met, I will accompany my master out of Muo Valley."

Sure enough, Namgung Sua narrowed her eyes at Yoo Jeong's terms, but soon nodded.

"This isn't something I can decide on my own. But you've set these conditions... for the Sword Empress's safety, correct?"

"Yes."

"I will convey everything, including those concerns."

"To the Taoist of the Wudang Sect?"

"Ah. Did you meet Elder Cheongsonggeom?"

Green Pine. Yoo Jeong thought it was a moniker that suited the old man perfectly.

"I met him briefly on my way back, along with an old beggar."

"Even Elder Goegelgae! You don't have to worry about rumors regarding the conditions you mentioned, Young Hero Yoo. This matter is being handled with the utmost discretion within the Alliance. The only ones who know about the Sword Empress are the Alliance Leader, Elder Cheongsonggeom, and Elder Goegelgae, who assist him like his own hands and feet..."

Pausing to catch her breath, Namgung Sua pointed to herself.

"...and my master and myself."

"It seems you hold quite a position within the Alliance, Lady Namgung."

"I am the vice commander of a combat unit, after all. Though my master's influence played a part."

Namgung Sua wore a bitter smile as she spoke. It was a smile that hinted at some underlying story, but they were ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠not close enough for him to pry into her personal affairs. Yoo Jeong began walking back toward the thatched cottage, asking a different question.

"Will you be leaving at dawn, then?"

"No, I'll head out now."

"Is there a need to rush so? Even if you are skilled in martial arts, you might lose your way in the dark on unfamiliar paths."

"It's fine. I have a friend with me."

"A friend?"

The moment she said that, a distant meow echoed through the air.

Screeech!

Hearing the responding shriek, Yoo Jeong could guess the identity of this "friend."

"You came far more prepared than I thought."

"It is an important matter, after all. Well then, I will seek approval as quickly as possible and return."

"...I trust there won't be any unfortunate incidents of others visiting this place."

"Of course. I have no intention of carelessly blabbing about the existence of your safe house."

Then why did Cheongsonggeom and Goegelgae come along? The question arose, but he didn't ask. At the very least, her eyes did not look like those of a liar. Yoo Jeong offered a polite gesture of farewell as Namgung Sua set off into the night.

"Master. Are you asleep?"

The next day. Entering the room to wake his master, Yoo Jeong watched her sleeping peacefully, a faint smile gracing his lips. Just like his master, who had always struggled to wake up, waking her was a difficult task for Yoo Jeong as well. Part of it was the worry about the trouble she might cause once awake, but anyone would feel the same way upon seeing her purring and snoring softly with a face as adorable as a heavenly child.

Feeling his troubled mind from the previous day being healed, Yoo Jeong decided to let her sleep a little longer. He opened the window to let in some fresh air and sat beside his master. His hand naturally reached for her head. Stroke, stroke. The texture of her snow-white hair felt like silk threads, instantly putting his mind at ease. Perhaps that was why.

"Is my decision the right one, Master?"

He began to voice his worries one by one.

"While I think it is best to maintain our current daily life, whenever I see you suffering or remember how you used to be, I wish for your swift recovery."

Stroke. The speed of his hand gradually slowed.

"The Covenant of the Northern Sword, the future of the Orthodox Wulin... none of it matters to me. Just as I told Lady Namgung, if there is no improvement in your condition, I will run away with you immediately. If they want Cheonru, as regrettable as it is, I am even prepared to hand it over."

By the time his hand stopped completely, Yoo Jeong's face had hardened.

"But your disciple is afraid. I worry that I might tarnish the name of my master, who has always championed righteousness. I fear that once you regain your senses, you will scold me severely for neglecting the justice you hold so dear. That is what worries me."

Knowing no answer would come, Yoo Jeong whined to his master as if he were a child. But that moment was brief. Breaking the silence that had settled over the room, Yoo Jeong stood up. It was time to prepare breakfast. Since he was letting her sleep in anyway, he decided to wake her once the meal was ready. Just as he was about to step out of the room with that thought—

At the clear, articulate voice coming from behind him, Yoo Jeong froze in his tracks.

At his master's lengthy, profound words, Yoo Jeong hurriedly spun around. Has she regained her senses? He had harbored a sliver of hope that she would someday. Could ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠today be that day? His heart pounded wildly.

"...Master?"

There, with her face buried in a book of heroic tales, his master was reading aloud, tracing the characters one by one. Feeling Yoo Jeong's gaze, she stopped reading and smiled brightly.

"Hehe. Jeong-ah. I woke up all by myself."

Seeing this, Yoo Jeong let out a hollow laugh. He had hoped, but as expected, it was just a misunderstanding. Nevertheless, a corner of his laughter held a deep, genuine joy. Smiling as brightly as his master, Yoo Jeong spoke.

"I told you not to read heroic tales in bed, didn't I? Confiscated for three days."

"Uwaaaah! Noooo!"

And one week later, Yoo Jeong departed Mount Kuaiji.